Verizon's FiOS TV - Packing More Channels, More HD and More Features - Now on Its Way to Residents of Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y.

Residents of the village of Hastings-on-Hudson in Westchester County are a major step closer to having a new, feature-rich experience for their cable television service, thanks to a newly approved agreement authorizing Verizon to offer its FiOS TV service, delivered over the most advanced fiber-optic network directly to customers' homes.

The addition of the Hastings cable television franchise brings to 175 the total number of New York municipalities that have authorized Verizon to provide FiOS TV service.

"Our total fiber network delivers technology innovations like the FiOS TV multi-room DVR and on-screen Twitter and Facebook widget applications that cable just can't provide," said Jim Gerace, Verizon president for the New York region. "This franchise agreement recognizes customers' demand for choice in broadband, television and entertainment services."

As with all local franchise approvals in New York, the agreement between Verizon and Hastings is subject to review by the New York State Public Service Commission.

One of the largest New York employers, with more than 29,000 employees in the state, Verizon continues to invest in the state's infrastructure by building, maintaining and enhancing its wireline and wireless networks across New York, including its advanced fiber-optic network, which provides consumers and businesses with reliable FiOS Internet, entertainment and voice services.

Programming choices for Hispanic, African-American, Asian, Russian and other multicultural audiences are available in every market, making FiOS TV an outlet for emerging and independent networks to showcase their diverse programming.

Verizon's fiber network delivers amazingly sharp pictures and sound, and has the capacity to transmit a wide array of high-definition programming that is so clear and intense it seems to leap from the TV screen. In addition to FiOS TV, Verizon's fiber network also delivers Internet download speeds of up to 50 Mbps (megabits per second) and upload speeds of up to 35 Mbps, as well as high-quality voice service.*

Hastings joins a growing list of New York communities that are paving the way for competition and choice in the television market. In addition to Hastings, Verizon has been granted cable television franchises in the following municipalities:

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, NASDAQ:VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving nearly 93 million customers nationwide. Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers innovative, seamless business solutions to customers around the world. A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 217,000 and last year generated consolidated revenues of more than $107 billion. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.